Deployment of the city of Cook’s new fiber optic high-speed broadband network is on track to be operational before winter sets in, and new projects proposed for multiple North Country areas could come next if their current applications for additional state funding support are approved.
Work on the Cook network being installed by Paul Bunyan Communications was originally scheduled to begin next spring, but multiple factors have allowed the company to accelerate that schedule. Crews began laying the main fiber optic cables several weeks ago, and those who subscribe to the service now will likely have high-speed broadband this fall.
They also mention some grant applications in the Border to Border hopper that may get funded this fall…
One of those is the nation’s eighth largest internet provider, Frontier Communications, which already provides some services in the North Country that qualify as “high speed” broadband under the FCC’s 100 megabyte down, 25 megabyte up definition.
Frontier has proposed two-gig service deployment for the areas of Ely, Tower, and Crane Lake, including areas formerly designated for LTD.
A proposal for deploying high-speed broadband in the Eagles Nest area, submitted by Ely-based Treehouse Broadband, is also under consideration for Border-to-Border funding.
Blandin on Broadband 